BOSTON, Mass. – March 9, 2010 – www.skinnerinc.com – Skinner, Inc. announced today that it will host an auction of 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts on March 27th at 10 a.m. in Boston. The auction features a wide array of Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Mid-century Modern and Studio Movement material, including works by Tiffany Studios and George Nakashima. The auction will be held at Skinner’s gallery at 63 Park Plaza in Boston.
“This auction will prove to be a treasure hunt for beginning and advanced collectors, notes Jane Prentiss, Director of 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts at Skinner. “Art glass, lighting, metalwork, paintings and sculpture, silver, art pottery, and furniture will be offered; pieces of great design, made from the highest quality materials.”
The works of Tiffany Studios are a perennial favorite in this auction. Featured is a Tiffany table lamp, bronze with green damascene shades estimated at $12,000 to $15,000; a floriform Tiffany art glass vase, hand wrought and internally decorated on the iridescent body and estimated at $3,000 to $5,000; and a lovely selection of Tiffany metalwork highlighted by a pair of bronze verdigris candelabra accented by green glass cabochons estimated at $3,000 to $5,000.
A collection of period and re-issue Arts and Crafts furniture from an estate located in a four-story brownstone in Brooklyn includes Arts and Crafts settles, sideboards, and tables. And, art glass offerings include a rare Cire Perdue vase (lost wax casting) attributed to Rene Lalique estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. This vase, found in a Manhattan apartment, had descended in the family of the consignor. It has a small chip on the rim but this fine example of this ancient method of glass making will certainly draw some attention for its rarity. The sale also includes a wonderful selection of Georg Jensen silver hollowware and flatware from the same family.
Mid-century modern collectors seeking good American and Scandinavian designs won’t be disappointed.
Found in New Hampshire are Two Papa Bear chairs with ottomans designed by Hans Wegner of Denmark, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 per set. The Studio Furniture Movement found a leader in George Nakashima (1905-1990) and his use of wood and exposed joinery makes each piece its own sculptural and functional statement. Offered is a Conoid desk made from walnut estimated at $20,000 to $24,000.
Catalog and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be Thursday, March 5th, 12-5 p.m. and Friday, March 26th, 12-7 p.m., and Saturday, March 27th 8-9 a.m. Illustrated catalog #2489 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3000 x3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through Skinner-Live, Skinner’s live online bidding applet.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
Image: Hans Wegner, Papa Bear Armchair and Ottoman est, $3,000-5,000
